Observer IV Wireless Internet Camera System Quick Start Guide Colorado Video, Inc. Boulder, CO.

Transcription

1 Observer IV Wireless Internet Camera System Quick Start Guide Colorado Video, Inc. Boulder, CO. Revised 2/16/2005

2 Observer IV Quick Start Guide The Observer camera has many features that enhance its ability to monitor remote areas. Attempting to learn about these capabilities by wading through the manual can be tedious and confusing. This tutorial provides step-by-step instructions for the first time user. By completing these lessons, the user will quickly become familiar with the camera and support software. What you need to complete this guide. 1. An Observer IV camera. 2. The CD that came with the Observer. 3. A serial cable with a male and a female 9-pin connector on either end. 4. A 5/64 hex-head wrench. 5. Either an approved AC adapter for the camera or 5 new AA batteries 6. An account with a GSM cellular provider that has GPRS data capabilities. 7. A SIM card for that GSM account and the associated access point name (APN). 8. An account on a FTP server. You will need the server address, the username, and the password for the account. 9. A computer with an Internet connection. While a dial-up Internet connection will work, it will be frustratingly slow. A broadband connection is recommended. The computer must have a web browser installed. Internet Explorer, Netscape, or Opera will work. Items 1 and 2 come with the original purchase of the camera. Items 3 and 4 can be obtained at the local computer or hardware store. The AC adapter in item 5 is an accessory available from the dealer, it is not required to operate the camera; batteries can be used. Your cellular service provider supplies items 6 and 7 when you establish a cellular data account to use with the camera. Colorado Video Inc. provides item 8 free for three months after the purchase of an Observer IV (see Lesson 5 for details). Any other FTP account to which you have access may be used. The computer (item 8) should be located near a window or at least by an exterior wall, in an area that can receive cellular service. Examining the CD contents Before going any further, take a quick look at the contents of the CD that came with the camera. Install the CD in the drive on your computer, go to the My Computer icon and display the CD drive. You should see the following files; FTPJPGReader.exe InstallObserver.exe Observer IV User s Guide.pdf Observer IV Quick Start Guide.pdf Observer IV Applications.pdf Observer IV Data Sheet.pdf The first two files are PC applications, which you will install and use during these lessons. The other files are documentation, in PDF format, describing the Observer camera and potential 2

3 applications. PDF files may be viewed and printed with Adobe Acrobat Reader version 4.0 or higher. You may obtain a copy of the free Acrobat Reader software and installation instructions for Windows from Adobe If you are completely unfamiliar with the capabilities of the Observer Camera it may be helpful to first read the short document Observer IV Applications as well as the first two pages of the Observer IV User s Guide, before continuing here. If you already have a rough idea of what the camera can do, then forge ahead. Getting Started Once you have gathered everything listed above, finish in order, each lesson below. Each lesson relies on the successful completion of the previous lesson. The entire tutorial will take about forty-five minutes. Leave the CD in the drive, and this document displayed on your screen. You can switch between the tasks to be performed and this lesson guide by minimizing one screen when you want to view the other. That way you always have your lesson in front of you as you work with the camera and accompanying software. A good approach is to read each lesson first, before actually completing it. If something is confusing, or if you wish more in-depth information, click on the references, surrounded by a rectangle, cited under the For more information heading at the end of each lesson. This will take you to the relevant portion of the Observer IV User s Guide. When done reading that portion of the guide, clicking on the back arrow at the top of Acrobat Reader will return you back to your lesson. (Note that these hypertext links will work only if, both this Quick Start Guide and the user s guide resided in the same directory leaving the files on the CD will work fine) Lesson 1 Unpacking and Setting Up the Camera Unpack the camera. The contents should include; 1) Observer Camera 2) Antenna 3) CD with documentation and application software Use a 5/64 hex head wrench to remove the four bolts holding the bottom plate on. Also remove the two bolts holding the rear window in place. Make sure the power switch on the back of the camera is set to OFF. Install the antenna on the camera. Place the SIM card associated with the GPRS cellular account into the slot in the back of the camera. Note that the orientation of the card is shown below the slot; the copper contacts should face down. The card will slide almost all the way into the slot before a click is heard. To remove the card, push it all the way in until another click is heard. To complete these lessons the SIM card must be inserted. Using the AC adapter. To use an AC adapter to power the camera, make sure the switch in the battery compartment is slid down towards the outside wall, away from the white dot. Replace the bottom plate, but 3

4 leave the four bolts only finger-tight. Next connect the AC adapter by lining up the small white arrows on the two connectors and mating them by pushing gently. Next, plug the AC adapter into the wall. Using internal batteries. To use AA cell batteries to power the camera, make sure the switch in the battery compartment is slid up towards the middle, by the white dot. Install the batteries. Note that the correct polarity is shown on the holders (the flat end of the battery goes towards the spring). Replace the bottom plate and the four bolts, don t tighten the bolts. For more information: If items are missing, contact the dealer where you purchased the camera. The Camera Case and Controls Removing the antenna Removing the end caps Replacing the batteries The power selector switch The back panel Appendix C Power Supply Considerations and Power Switch Settings Lesson 2 Installing the Communications Software The camera communicates with a desktop PC over a serial port. This connection allows the camera to be configured and tested. During this lesson you will install the software that creates the connection, then you will establish communications with the Observer camera. Find a file named InstallObserver.exe on the CD. This utility will set up the camera connection on you PC. This utility will work for Windows 2000 and Windows XP operating systems; it does not function for computers using Windows 98. If you are using Windows 98, see the references under For More Information. Place the CD that came with the camera in your computer, and in the root directory click on InstallObserver.exe. Appendix G in the Observer IV User s Guide describes the use of this utility. Once the utility has finished, or you have set up the connection manually, there will be an icon titled Observer on COM1(2) on the desktop. You will use this icon to establish communications with the Observer, whenever you need to change the configuration or test its operation. You will not have to run the InstallObserver utility again. For More Information Communicating with the Camera Appendix D Establishing Communications with Different Operating Systems Appendix G Using the InstallObserver Utility. 4

5 Lesson 3 Communicating with the Camera You are now ready to connect to the camera. Plug the serial cable into the COM port on the back of the computer. Make sure that this is the same COM port that you selected during the installation process above. Plug the other end into the connector on the back of the camera. Make sure that switch 1 (far left) on the back of the camera is in the down position and switches 2 and 3 are up. If you are using the AC adapter, make sure it is plugged into the wall and into the camera. If you are using the batteries, you should have installed them in the previous lesson. Turn the camera on by sliding the power switch to the left. The red LED on the back panel should start blinking. On the computer desktop, click on the Observer on COM1 icon. A window will appear, titled Connect Observer Camera, click on Dial button. The connection process takes a few seconds to complete. The LED s on the back panel of the camera should progress from red, to yellow, to green. As the connection is made you will see a message briefly displayed that says verifying username and password and a small computer icon will show in the lower right hand corner of your display. If the connection fails, the message below is displayed. For troubleshooting failed connections see the references below. Anytime you want to change the Observer s configuration or to test its operation use this procedure to establish communications with the camera. Normally, you will not have to re-run the InstallObserver utility (Lesson 2). To re-connect, just hook up the cable, turn the camera on, and click on the Observer on COM1 icon, that s all there is to it. For now, you want to leave the Observer connected to the computer so you can continue on with your lessons. It does seem, however, like the right place to describe how to disconnect the Observer, so when you re finished you can shut everything off. The following paragraph describes the disconnect procedure, to be used later. To disconnect the Observer camera from the computer click on the Camera on COM1 just like you did to make the connection. A status window will pop up. Click on the Disconnect button, and the computer will disconnect from the camera. When the camera is fully disconnected the LED s on the back of the camera will go from green, to blinking red. Wait for the blinking red LED then you can turn the camera off (power switch to the center position) and unplug the cable. For now, leave the camera connected to complete the following lessons. 5

6 For More Information Communicating with the Camera Appendix D Establishing Communications with Different Operating Systems Appendix G Using the InstallObserver Utility Lesson 4 - Configuring the Camera. Once communications with the camera is established, a web browser is used to view web pages internal to the camera. In this section you will explore these pages and view a picture generated by the camera. Now that the Observer is successfully connected to your computer, open a web browser. Go to the address bar in the web browser interface (usually at the top) and type in This is the network address of the Observer IV camera. Click Go and the first web page should appear. This home page is an index to the camera pages that will be used to configure and test the Observer. Click on the first link that says Camera Settings. A page will be displayed that allows you to set the image size, exposure, and compression settings. Make sure the Large selection under Picture Size is selected and click on Submit. This will take you back to the home page. At the bottom of the page, click on Take a Picture. The camera will capture an image and display it on the desktop. Click the back arrow to return to the home page. On the home page, above the Take a Picture link is the Test and Troubleshoot option. Click on this link. This page presents several diagnostic tests, which are used in verifying the correct operation of the camera. Click on the first link titled Modem Configuration/Cellular Service. The camera will perform a diagnostic test on the cellular connection and display the results. This may take up to two minutes to complete. Note that during these diagnostic tests the modem will be transmitting and a minimum 20 cm (8 inch) separation distance between the antenna and the human body must be maintained. At the end of this test, a page is displayed that resembles that shown in the Test and Troubleshoot chapter, under the Modem Configuration/Cellular Service section of the user s guide. Inspect the information displayed here. You will see the name of the service provider, the phone number of the account associated with the SIM card you inserted (not displayed for all providers) and the connection status to the GPRS network. Find the line that displays the IMEI number, which is unique to this camera, and write it down for later use. If any of the fields are displayed in red, the connection failed. Use the references listed below to correct the problem. Click on the Back link at the top of the page to return to the Test and Troubleshoot page. Note that the camera s serial number is displayed at the bottom of this page Write this number down for future use. Congratulations! You ve set up the camera, established communications with your PC, viewed an image, and verified that the SIM card and cellular account are functioning correctly. In the next section you will use the camera to transmit an image over the cellular network and view it with the desktop PC. 6

7 For more information: Browsing the Camera s Web Pages. Camera Settings Appendix E Test and Troubleshoot. Appendix A Rules, Regulations and Safety Concerns. Lesson 5 - Transmitting a Picture Here you will use the Test and Troubleshoot page to transmit an image over the cellular network to the Internet. Then you can use the web browser to view the image. First you need to go to three of the camera s web pages and make sure the settings are correct. Click on the back arrow at the top of the browser until you return to the home page. Here, click on the Network Settings link. On this page, you will enter information about the FTP account that will receive the images. The camera needs; 1) the Internet address of the FTP server, 2) the user name of an available account, 3) the password for that account, and optionally 4) any specific directory within that account that will hold the images. Colorado Video Inc. provides free access to an FTP account for the first three months after the purchase of an Observer Camera. You can use that FTP account, or if you have access to another FTP account, that information can be entered instead. The procedure for entering the applicable information is the same in either case. This example will use the Colorado Video account information. If you are using the account from Colorado Video, Inc., the FTP server address is Observer- IV.com. The username is always a combination of the letters ObIV (case is significant) and the last six digits of the IEMI. The IEMI is displayed on a sticker on the inside of the bottom plate. It is also displayed when the Modem/Cellular Configuration test is run in the Test and Troubleshoot section (hopefully you wrote it down in the last lesson). The password is the last six digits of the camera s serial number. The serial number is displayed at the bottom of the Test and Troubleshoot page. An example of the completed Network Settings page using a hypothetical Colorado Video, Inc. account is shown. Enter the FTP server address, username, password, and directory into the form. In most instances the entry for the FTP directory can be left blank, the default directory works fine. For 7

8 the Colorado-Video account leave the directory field blank. Don t worry about any other fields on this page, click Submit to send the information to the camera. Two more pages need to be visited before the camera can transmit an image. On the home page, click on the Systems Setting link. At the bottom of this page you will see a field titled APN. This is the access point name required by the cellular network that the camera will use. This is often a single word (e.g. PROXY) or it may look like an Internet Address (e.g. internet2.voicestream.com). The cellular company with which you established an account provides the APN. It should have been included with the SIM card that you received. Contact the cellular provider if you aren t sure what the correct APN is. Enter the APN in the field. Note, the day, date, and time at the top of this page. The camera contains an internal clock and calendar that is used for scheduling picture delivery. While on this page, make sure that the Time, Date and Day fields are correct. Once set, you will not have to set them again. In the middle of the page is a field titled Picture File Name. Enter a descriptive name for this camera. (e.g.newobserver). For this lesson make sure the Constant Name button is highlighted. Click on the Submit button. From the home page, click on the Operating Mode link. Make sure the FTP delivery option, at the top of the page, is highlighted; the other entries on this page will not be used in this lesson. Click on Submit. The camera is now ready to transmit an image. From the home page, enter the Test and Troubleshoot page once again. Click on the Image Delivery Test link. The camera will acquire an image and deliver it to the FTP server. This may take up to 2-3 minutes to complete. As the test proceeds, status information will be displayed on the web page. When the test is done, a successful delivery will display a page on your computer that resembles that shown in the Image Delivery Test section of Appendix E in the user s guide. Different FTP servers may provide different feedback to the camera during this test, therefore the results page that you obtained may not be exactly identical to that shown in the user s guide. If the image was successfully delivered FILE TRANSFER TEST PASSED will be displayed at the top of the page. If the test failed FILE TRANSFER TEST FAILED is shown. Utilize the references below for troubleshooting information. Click on the back arrow and return to the Test and Troubleshoot page. For More Information Network Settings System Settings Operating Mode Test and Troubleshoot Appendix F Network Services and Cell Phone Access. 8

9 Lesson 6 -Viewing the Image There are a few ways to view the image that has been just delivered to the FTP server. This lesson will use the simplest approach; using the web browser. Leaving the Observer connected to your PC, go to the address bar at the top of the browser. Type in ftp://observer-iv.com. This is the address of the Colorado-video FTP server. If you configured the camera to utilize another FTP server, use that address. Click on Go. A window will pop-up allowing you to enter the username and password that you used to configure the FTP settings in the camera. Enter the same values you used in Lesson 5 and click OK. The contents of that FTP account will then be displayed. Hopefully, you see a file named the same as the camera name that you entered in the System Settings in Lesson 5. The file will have a.jpg extension (e.g. NewObserver.jpg). Click on the file name to see the image. If the file is not present see the references below for troubleshooting ideas. For more information: How to Access FTP Sites Directly by Using Internet Explorer Lesson 7 -Viewing Images with the FTPJPG Application The FTPJPG application provides a powerful tool for handling incoming images from the Observer. In this section you will install the application and use it to view the image previously uploaded to our FTP server. For now, leave the Observer IV connected, you will return to it shortly. Minimize the browser that you ve been using by clicking on the Minimize box in the upper right hand corner. Now you will install the FTPJPG viewer application. Insert the CD that came with the camera into the computer drive. On the CD find the file FTPJPGReaderInstall.exe. Click on this file and follow the installation instructions. The installation procedure will leave the FTPJPG icon on the desktop. Click on this icon to launch the application. At the top of the application, select File->Configure. This will bring up the configuration window. Select Continuous Mode. Check the boxes titled Alert when image refreshed and Archive Path, then OK. Now select File->FTP JPG this will bring up the FTP Access window. Enter the FTP Address, user ID and password that you used in Lesson 5. When the FTP information is entered click on Connect. The application will access the FTP server and display all the files that reside there. The example below shows the settings for the NewObserver camera for the hypothetical Colorado-Video, Inc. FTP account setup in Lesson 5. 9

10 If the image delivery test in lesson 5 completed successfully the transmitted image will be listed. Check the box next to the file name (NewObserver.jpg) and click on Open at the bottom of the window. The main page will appear and the selected image will be displayed. Note the flashing camera icon in the upper left hand corner; this indicates that a new image has just been retrieved. For more information: Using the FTPJPG Application Lesson 8 - Configure the Camera for Independent Operation In this section you will configure the camera to come on every 15 minutes, deliver an image, then shut off. In the previous lessons you prompted the Observer to place an image on the FTP server by running a test in the Test and Troubleshoot section. In this lesson you will configure the camera to do this automatically. Minimize the FTPJPG Reader application by clicking on the Minimize box in the upper right. You will come back to that application after this lesson. The Observer should still be connected to your computer from Lesson 5. If you disconnected from the camera, perform the connect process as outlined in Lesson 3. If you re still connected, return to the web browser by clicking on the minimized browser icon at the bottom of the screen. If the FTP window with the Observer image, from Lesson 5, is still showing, use the back arrow at the top, to return to the Observer home page. From the camera s home page go to the Operating Mode page, and click on the Schedule link located in the paragraph titled Activation. This new page will display the days of the week, hours and 15 minute intervals, that you will use to create a schedule. You can select the days and the times you want the camera to turn on and deliver a picture. The time (hours and minutes) will be the same for all days that you choose. To choose a single item in the list, click on it. To choose multiple items within a list (days, hours or minutes) use the control key in conjunction with a right mouse click. 10

11 For the purpose of this lesson, choose the next quarter hour time for today. That is, if it s currently Wednesday at about 1:30 in the afternoon, choose Wednesday at 13:45 (the quarter hour time expressed with a 24 hour clock format). In fact, get brazen and highlight the next four quarter hour increments (13:45, 14:00, 14:15 and 14:30 in this example). You ve worked hard to get this far, you might as well get four pictures for your efforts. Once the days, hours and minutes that you want are highlighted, click on Submit. This will return you to the Operating Mode page. On the Operating Mode page, make sure that the Enable Schedule box is checked. This turns on the schedule that you just defined. The FTP delivery button, under Image Delivery, should still be selected, from Lesson 5. Click on Submit. You ll probably feel better going to the Systems page and checking that the Time, Date, and Day settings are all properly set and that the FTP settings on the Network Settings page still show the proper account information. All information on these pages should remain as you set it in Lesson 5, even if you ve shut the camera off between then and now. That s all the camera needs to turn on automatically and deliver a picture; the correct date and time, the desired schedule, and the correct FTP parameters. Briefly go back to Lesson 3 and read the last paragraph pertaining to disconnecting the camera. Now disconnect the camera and turn it off by sliding the switch to the Off (center) position. Find a safe location, preferably a window with a nice view, to place the camera. Slide the power switch to the Auto (right-most) position. The camera will turn on at the next scheduled time. Leave the camera to do its own thing and return to the computer. Click on the FTPJPG application that you installed, configured and minimized in Lesson 7. Your first picture from Lesson 5 should still be displayed. Shortly the camera will turn on and transmit an image to the server. The FTPJPG application will bring it down and place it on the display and archive it to the hard disk. While you re waiting for this to happen, go on and read Lesson 9. If your computer is equipped with sound you ll hear a nifty little ding-a-ling when the picture is retrieved. For more information: Operating Mode System Settings Network Settings Schedule Power mode options Lesson 9 - Preparing the Observer Camera for Outdoor Installation Now s a good time to read about the proper assembly of the camera for outdoor use. If you ve just finished Lesson 8, you re waiting for the camera to deliver its pictures to your PC. For now just read this lesson, you can practice the proper assembly and disassembly later, when the camera is not in use. Before installing the camera in an outside location, you need to make sure it is completely assembled. When properly assembled, the camera will withstand the harsh outdoor environment. During the first lesson, you removed the back window and loosened the four bolts that hold the 11

12 bottom plate on. This was necessary to access the battery compartment and the controls and connector on the back plate. Reassemble the camera by replacing the back window with the rubber gasket facing the inside of the camera. Replace the two bolts that secure the window and use the hex-head wrench to tighten the bolts about ½ turn beyond finger-tight. Use the same procedure to replace the front window, whenever it has been removed. Finally, tighten the four bolts holding the bottom plate on. Again, use the wrench to tighten them about ½ turn beyond finger tight. Note that the front and rear windows are held securely by the two bolts that pull them into the camera body as well as by pressure from a well secured bottom plate. Therefore, the front and rear windows are removable only after these main bolts have been removed and the bottom plate bolts are slightly loosened. Conversely, the front and rear windows will be weather-tight following re-assembly only after the two main bolts as well as the bottom plate bolts have been re-tightened. Do not over-tighten any bolts; about ½ turn beyond finger tight is sufficient. When properly assembled, the Observer can withstand inclement weather. It is not made to survive immersion or extreme conditions. For More Information The Camera Case and Controls Removing the end caps Installation Lesson 10 Are We There Yet? If its been more that 15 minutes since you concluded Lesson 8, the camera should have turned on and delivered a picture by now. Upon delivery of a new image the FTPJPG application will retrieve and display it on the desktop as well as store it on the hard drive. Maximize the FTPJPG application that you left running in Lesson 8. You should see the new image and a blinking camera in the upper corner of the picture. Click on the picture and the camera icon will go away, its used to signify that you re looking at new image. If your computer has sound and the Alert When New Image box is checked in the file->configure menu, you will also get a bell-like sound when the new image is delivered. If it seems like more then 15 minutes, be patient. Depending on exactly when the schedule was set, the camera may skip what would seem like should be the first time, and start with the next scheduled time. This occurs if the first scheduled time was set too close to the actual time. Since it takes a few seconds to set the schedule internally after Submit and to allow the camera to be shut off, the first time may be skipped, and the second time then becomes the starting point. If that s about as clear as mud to you, don t worry about it. Just remember that sometimes the very first scheduled time may be missed, after that, the schedule will be faithfully followed. Now if it has been more than 30 minutes and still no picture, then something s not right. See the troubleshooting references below. Hopefully, the image has appeared. They will continue to appear on schedule as long as the Observer s power switch is in the Auto mode. In this configuration the camera is actually turning itself on and off on schedule. The batteries can last 12

13 a very long time, delivering up to 500 pictures, unattended, over the course of many months or even a year. Note that the FTPJPG application will retrieve and store pictures only while it is running on your computer. If you close the application, the retrieval process stops. The Observer will still turn on as scheduled and deliver the images to the FTP server, however each new image will overwrite the previous one on the server, the older images will be lost. To have a complete record of the series of images captured, FTPJPG must be running while the camera is operating. For More Information Using the FTPJPG application Commencement You re now a proud graduate of the Observer IV Quick Start Guide. Lets review your accomplishments. You ve mastered the following; Disassembling and assembling the camera to ensure weather-tight outdoor operations. Setting up the camera for battery or AC adapter operation. Installing the camera communication software and using it to establish a connection to the camera. Browsing the web pages internal to the camera, and setting configuration parameters. Using the Test and Troubleshoot section to upload an image to an FTP account. Configuring the camera for standalone scheduled operations. Installing and using the FTPJPG Reader application. Although, you now have a good understanding of how the camera operates, there is more. Additional features exist that provide the camera with even more capability to address a wide variety of monitoring situations. These issues are covered in the Observer IV User s Guide. There s no hurry. Use what you learned in these lessons to set the camera up outside and deliver several pictures daily. Practice using the FTPJPG Reader application to capture and review those images. 13